Telstar Middle School news

As the new trimester begins, this week’s report is from the 6th grade team:
TMS 6th grade:
Science: In 7th grade Science, students have been studying the important role that photosynthesis plays in the transfer of energy and cycling of matter on Earth. On Thursdays, Phil Catanese, from the Bryant Pond 4-H Tech Wizards Program, has been leading us in some hands on physics and engineering activities in preparation for building an underwater remote operated vehicle (ROV) that can be used to study the ecosystems of our local lakes and ponds. Students have been encouraged to try different designs as they experimented with buoyancy and electric circuits.
Math: Recently students reviewed ratios, rates, and unit rates, and learned ways to solve proportions. Now they have exploring and constructing charts, tables, graphs and equations that demonstrate proportional relationships. Students will investigate more unit rates, similar figures and scale drawing, as they continue our study of proportional reasoning. 7th grade math students have a busy trimester ahead. The topic “proportional relationships” is considered a Big Idea in their curriculum. Help and resources are always provided for students lacking basic math skill proficiency.
ELA: The 7th grade ELA classes will be spending a bit of time reviewing standard English conventions like punctuation or capitalization. We will then be starting a new novel shortly called Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary Schmidt to tie into Maine Studies.
Social Studies: In Social Studies students just finished a unit on the Middle Ages with a worksheet and map exercise on Black Death. They are starting a unit about Viking Explorers that will have the students figure out how geography and technology affected their course of travel. Students will be starting Maine Studies as soon as they complete the Viking unit.
Announcements:
Week of March 28 -April 1 MEA testing
New this spring to the Middle School: Mrs. Slattery is starting a bike club. The first meeting is April 4. Students will be doing both trail and road riding and will meet weekly every Monday after school.
Important Dates:
Friday, April 1st: Report Cards go home
Telstar Middle School Activity Night Dance 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Monday, April 4:
Mahoosuc Arts will be coming to TMS to conduct mini drumming and percussion workshops during the morning followed by an afternoon assembly for the whole school.
Bike Club informational meeting 2:20 in Mrs. Slattery’s room.
Thursday, April 7: will be our March Stars Assembly which has been moved due to MEA testing.
Week of April 11: Parent/teacher conferences
Friday, April 15: The last day of school before the April vacation.
April 18-22: April vacation
TMS General:
Parent Teacher Conferences: Be sure to sign up for a parent-teacher spring conference. Information will go home about sign-ups in the report card envelopes. You can call the Middle School office to schedule your appointment. Conferences will take place during the week of April 11.
Spring sports: Students should be signing up for sports now! Girls’ softball, boys’ baseball, boys/girls track and field will begin are set to begin in early April. Stay tuned for dates and more information.
Bussing information: Late busses continue to leave at 4:15, Monday through Thursday. Once spring sports start up, the late bus will resume its 5:15 departure. Stay tuned for specific dates!
Box Tops for Education: Please remember that TMS is always looking for ways to raise money for the student activity account, and Box Tops for Education is a great way that families can contribute. Just cut them out and send them in with your student(s) to the Middle School office!